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Post:< 26915 >
Subject:< A Call to Arms! >
Topic:Community >
Category:General >
Author:charlesf
Posted:Jul 22, 2014 at 6:52 pm
Viewed:1297 times

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1. The premise that the only reason people play Diplomacy is to win the game.

2. The premise that the only definition of win is "solo."



Let me quote the rulebook, 4th edition:


OBJECT OF THE GAME

As soon as one Great Power controls 18 supply centers, it is said to have gained control of Europe. The player representing that Great Power is the winner.


There you have it. Solo equals win. Winning is the object of the game.

I know some ignore that. With all the adverse consequences I have described. That's after all why I issued this call to arms!


3. The premise that others will (or should) be playing for the same stakes as I am.



If they want to experience Diplomacy at its finest, yes, they should.

4. The premise that carebearism (I'm going to call this the "empathic" approach from now on) could not be a strategy in its own right.



It's an imbecilic strategy. A strategy's merit should be judged by whether it meets the object of the game, i.e. winning.

Since pure carebearism discards that possibility, it's a total clusterf*ck.

Carebearism and NMRing are IMO the two banes of the pbem hobby.

For it is written:

Thou shalt not carebear!

5. The premise that empathic play is necessarily easy or boring.



I enjoy this euphemism you introduced.

Are you in advertising? Smile

6. The premise that a consistent attitude of any kind (empathic, cutthroat, whatever) is desirable.



A winning attitude would be a good start.

7. The premise that each game exists in a vacuum.



I try to approach each game in that manner.

This message is in reply to post 26906:

I have been working hard to ignore this post but I find that I keep coming back to it. It piques my curiosity. I know that I disagree with much of what Charles said but I was attracted to the passion with which he said it. I was disappointed not to see more than a couple of "I agrees" before the thread devolved into side comments about war games.

So, in the interest of, well, my interest, I'm going to risk blowing my cover (and waking the sleeping trolls - shhhh...) and offer a few contrary ideas for your consideration.

To wit, Charles, I believe that many of your conclusions are flawed because many of your initial premises, as common as they may be, are, nevertheless, mistaken.

To wit:

1. The premise that the only reason people play Diplomacy is to win the game.

2. The premise that the only definition of win is "solo."

3. The premise that others will (or should) be playing for the same stakes as I am.

4. The premise that carebearism (I'm going to call this the "empathic" approach from now on) could not be a strategy in its own right.

5. The premise that empathic play is necessarily easy or boring.

6. The premise that a consistent attitude of any kind (empathic, cutthroat, whatever) is desirable.

7. The premise that each game exists in a vacuum.

Those who know me here know that I can be long-winded. Let me surprise all those people by stopping right here. I'm looking to kindle debate. Your thoughts?

Chris
aka Corrino

There are 19 Messages in this Thread:


A Call to Arms! (charlesf) Jul 03, 08:37 am

A Call to Arms! (Operations) Jul 05, 04:47 pm

A Call to Arms! (vegas_iwish) Jul 05, 09:28 pm

A Call to Arms! (FuzzyLogic) Jul 08, 08:32 am

A Call to Arms! (charlesf) Jul 09, 07:39 am

A Call to Arms! (Operations) Jul 09, 12:05 pm

A Call to Arms! (vegas_iwish) Jul 12, 07:02 pm

A Call to Arms! (Sean2010) Jul 08, 03:10 pm

A Call to Arms! (Corrino) Jul 21, 01:53 pm

A Call to Arms! (Sean2010) Jul 22, 06:08 pm

A Call to Arms! (Corrino) Jul 23, 01:03 pm

A Call to Arms! (Sean2010) Jul 23, 11:02 pm

A Call to Arms! (charlesf) Jul 22, 06:52 pm

A Call to Arms! (Corrino) Jul 23, 01:14 pm

A Call to Arms! (FuzzyLogic) Jul 24, 09:03 am

A Call to Arms! (Corrino) Jul 28, 01:21 pm

A Call to Arms! (Sean2010) Jul 29, 12:00 am

A Call to Arms! (charlesf) Jul 29, 04:32 am

A Call to Arms! (Sean2010) Jul 29, 11:48 am

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